Innholdsfortegnelse for Fall 2017 i MASK The Magazine

MASK (Mothers Awareness on School-age Kids) is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization created in 2007 by a group of dedicated mothers who recognized the need to consistently educate families on rapidly changing issues. The MASK mission is to engage and educate parents, children and the community about the issues facing our youth and to empower children to make safe, healthy choices. MASK fulfills its mission by engaging, educating and empowering families through the MASK E3 Institute, MASK The Magazine and our vastly informative website. The MASK E3 Institute is a comprehensive year long multi-year approach to building and strengthening life skills for children, including MASK Storytime (Pre-K), MASK Academy (kindergarten to 6th grade), MASK Prep (middle and high school), MASK Leadership (college) and Parent University. Through these platforms MASK aims…

A t 2,400 square miles, the Pocono Mountains (also known as simply The Poconos) is a lush outdoor getaway filled with endless activities. The region encompasses four counties in Pennsylvania and is known for its resorts, scenery and quaint towns. From outdoor adventures such as white water rafting and exploring waterfalls, to indoor pursuits including museums and concerts, there are plenty of ways to enjoy this scenic northeastern locale. FUN IN THE SUN In the summer, the Poconos offer many ways to beat the heat, especially with its 150 lakes in the region. Families can get close to nature by taking a boat tour, canoeing, kayaking, tubing or just relaxing on one of its many beaches. There are also several waterparks for families to enjoy, as well as adventure parks…

I grew up playing sports and was lucky enough to play at the professional level for seven years, traveling to 17 countries. Today, I’m a parent of two daughters and I own a soccer business teaching kids how to improve their skills, mentality and brand. Through my own experiences as a dad and a coach, I’ve seen how sports brings out passion and character in people— and how it affects kids. On the positive side, sports can fast-track youth maturity. Kids learn to work together, and even against others. They learn sportsmanship, which is so much more than just shaking the opponent’s hand at the end of a game. It’s being a good listener, encouraging a weaker player, working hard, having a good attitude when things don’t go your way,…

S.A.T What it’s all about S.A.T (Student Awareness Tools)® is designed to give students a voice on important issues facing them today. By explaining how their world looks and feels, they can show how students have dealt with, overcome or been empowered by their experience. To have your school considered for an upcoming issue, contact Michelle Jacoby at mjacoby@maskmatters.org. S.A.T (Student Awareness Tools)® was developed and produced by students at Perry High School in Gilbert, Arizona. When it comes to sportsmanship, the first thing that may come to mind is players on the field displaying teamwork, character and respect. If only we lived in such a perfect world. Today, examples of poor sportsmanship often outnumber examples of good ones, and can be seen in the interactions between players, parents, coaches…

“When youth athletes feel they are connected to their coach and teammates, they will commit to giving their best effort to the team.” – Jim Thompson N early two decades ago, Jim Thompson founded Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) with the premise of not merely creating “better athletes, but better people.” And since its creation in 1998, it’s become the moniker of the organization. “When youth athletes feel they are connected to their coach and teammates, they will commit to giving their best effort to the team. And the reverse is also true. Kids will not commit to a team until they feel connected to their coach and teammates. It is the relentless filling of ‘emotional tanks’ that connects athletes and unlocks all the wonderful benefits that sports can convey to…

BRISKET VEGETABLE SOUP ¼ cup vegetable oil 2 cups onion, diced 1 cup carrot, diced 1 cup celery, diced 1 cup zucchini, diced 1 cup red bell pepper, diced 1 cup yellow bell pepper, diced 1 cup green bell pepper, diced 4 Roma tomatoes, diced 3 tbsp. salt 2 tbsp. black pepper 2 tbsp. granulated sugar 2 gallons beef stock (1 cup beef base, 2 gallons water) 4 quarts brisket, chopped Sauté all the vegetables, oil and seasonings for 5 minutes. Add beef stock and chopped brisket. Simmer for 20 minutes, then thicken with cornstarch slurry. Makes approximately 3 gallons. The Thumb is an award-winning barbecue bistro and car wash that features a retail area, coffee bar and bakery. One-stop shopping at its finest, customers can get their cars washed…

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1: BASIC SQUAT DON’T FALL BEHIND Standing in front of a couch or chair, start by bending your knees, keeping the chest up and shoulders back. Sit with your weight back into your heels, then lower your body until your butt touches the seat. Rise back up squeezing your glutes. Repeat for one minute. 2: PLANK GET ON BOARD WITH STRONGER ABS Lay completely flat on your stomach on the floor, stretch your body and push up into a plank position. Keep shoulders away from your ears, tuck your hips under, squeeze your glutes, quads and abdominals and hold. Increase difficulty by bringing a knee to the opposite elbow, alternating sides, and contracting your core as you pull them in. Continue for one…

REGISTER FOR MASK PARENT UNIVERSITY (PAGE 41) REATE GRATITUDE JAR THIS WEEKEND (PAGE 25) Visit Valley Toyota Dealers to check out safe teen cars [PAGE 28] RESERVE MY ROOM AT THE FAIRMONT SCOTTSDALE PRINCESS FOR THE MASKER AIDE BALL (PAGE 38) CHECK OUT ALL THE FABULOUS A-LIST ITEMS FOR THINGS YOU’LL LOVE! (PAGE 26) MARK CALENDAR FOR THE WINTER EMPOWER LUNCH HOUR (PAGE 106 To buy tickets for the España MASKer Aide Ball, visit maskmatters.org. NOMINATIONS OPEN! NOMINATE YOUR FAVORITE “MOM MAKING A DIFFERENCE” TODAY AT MASKMATTERS.ORG CHECK OUT MASK’S NEED-TO-KNOW-TIPS (PAGE 22) Buy our masks for the MASKer Aide Ball at maskmatters.org…

MASK’S MAKING THE GRADE, VISIT PAGE 72 DRUG Many times, young people try drugs because they feel they don’t have a way out when pressured by peers. Don’t let this be your child. Help your child plan an exit strategy for saying no to drugs without seeming “uncool.” Role play different scenarios so your child will be prepared for any situation. BULLY While we can’t control the actions of others, we can control how we respond. Help your children build up their self-esteem and practice responding in positive ways even when faced with negative actions. You can teach your children through modeling and role playing. TECH Set a time for a tech break. It’s easier to have a conversation with your child when there’s no technology there to act as…

Jennifer Kiernan knows first-hand the power of transformation. Having lived it herself— transforming from a corporate executive; to a full-time, stay-at-home mom; to an advocate for the homeless—she believes her life’s journey brought her to serving others. “When I started working with the homeless, I began to see lives change before my very eyes,” she says. “It was then I knew. This is what I was meant to do.” As the founder of Saving Amy, an organization she named for a single mom who lifted herself up out of drug abuse and homelessness, Kiernan helps homeless people transform their lives through spiritual mentoring, educational advancement and financial stability through employment. In the program, each family is paired with a “journey partner,” who not only helps with inner changes, but also…

“In organized team sports, children work together to accomplish a task and learn from their mistakes. These lessons directly translate into the classroom and beyond.” – Stephen Keener A young basketball player takes a cheap shot at her opponent and doesn’t get caught by the referee. After the game, she gloats about it while her teammates congratulate her on the move. After placing second in the finals of his swim meet, a disappointed swimmer walks away from an opponent’s handshake and throws his goggles on the deck. An angry father, whose football player son was taken out of the game for unnecessary roughness, confronts the coach in the parking lot after the game, screaming and yelling at him. While these actions may not make the headlines of your local newspaper,…

More than half of sports injuries in children are preventable. A ll of us have experienced pain, but did you know that pain is actually a protection mechanism? Our bodies sense tissue injury and the brain interprets this and tells us to stop. But do we? Do we encourage our kids to stop? Overuse injuries are more prevalent than ever in youth sports. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, more than half of sports injuries in children are preventable. Sports are an important aspect of children’s physical and social development and can be a very positive experience for them. Regular, healthy stress to a growing body will aid in bone growth and improve muscle strength, and children will learn new skills and improve self-esteem. But too much…

“Every dad dreams about coaching his son. I just happen to coach from a wheelchair.” M y life has never been without sports. Not even after that fateful day I broke my neck after being pushed off a porch. I had just graduated from high school, where I had played baseball. So it stands to reason it would be the same for my son, Jacoby, who has been playing team sports since he was 4 years old. Every dad dreams about coaching his son. I just happen to coach from a wheelchair. At the beginning I was worried. I always wanted to coach his teams, but there was my disability. A great mentor of mine told me to figure out how teaching baseball fits in with my situation. He said…

TO help parents stay connected with and continue to instill the tenets of good sportsmanship with their student athlete, we asked associate athletic director Jean Boyd and associate athletic director Andrea Lore, both of ASU Student Athlete Development & Performance; and Alonzo James, associate athletic director of Inclusion and Championship Life, to provide some insight and advice. Here’s what they shared. At the college level, sports takes on a new meaning and importance for both athletes and their parents. How can parents of student athletes continue to teach the tenets of good sportsmanship, character and integrity to their child? Regular communication between parents and their student athlete is key. It helps to support coaches’ decisions, assist the student athlete through the transition from being the best on the team to…

T here are a variety of reasons people make the switch to a dairy-free diet. For some, it’s the discovery that they or someone at their dinner table has a milk protein allergy or is lactose intolerant. For others, it’s a shift to a vegetarian/vegan lifestyle due to environmental or animal welfare concerns. Add to that a growing number of health conscious (particularly those trying to reach or maintain a certain weight) who believe the fat and calories from milk-based products aren’t necessary because the same nutrients can be obtained from plant-based sources, and you have a lot of people wanting to know how to go dairy-free and still cook and consume nutritious meals. Obviously, simply including or eliminating a food group from your diet doesn’t make it healthy. The…

My son, William Jordan DeMauvise, made a dramatic entry into the world on July 18, 2007, 10 weeks early. Shortly afterwards, he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, which significantly impacted his mobility. Over the course of 10 short years, he has proven to be a boy who embodies his name: Will-ful and determined. Having undergone multiple surgeries at such a young age, he finally learned to crawl at 2 years and 6 months, much later than others. He became a force. His knees endured every hard surface, and have the scars to prove it. When presented with a walker at the age of 3, he practiced for months on end. At 4, he took on arm crutches. Will embraced sports, from wheelchair basketball and flag football, to baseball, always cheering…

A t MASK The Magazine, our goal is to shed light on the trends and behaviors affecting today’s families and youth. Knowing these issues can help us all continue to learn, reflect and adjust what we can do to help our children grow into the best versions of themselves. Most times, it requires us as parents to look straight in the mirror and acknowledge the change begins with us. When it comes to sportsmanship, my view is from the bleachers, seats and sidelines of every game, tournament and competition my children have participated in. Admittedly, I myself have gotten caught up in the drama, in the dysfunction of organized sports. Being a protective parent, I’ve been upset at referees, coaches and even other parents. I’ve endured the frustration that comes…

Just 10 years ago, e-cigarettes were introduced to the U.S. market. Today, vaping is a constantly evolving, widespread trend, which now includes “dripping,” a new and dangerous way people use vaporizers. Vaporizers are designed to apply a specific amount of heat to the wick through a heated coil within the device. With dripping, people apply liquid directly to the coil itself. Although this sounds no more dangerous than using a vaporizer as intended, dripping generates a higher coil temperature, which allows more toxic chemicals, such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, to be released. More heat also increases the possibility of explosion. As if dripping isn’t dangerous enough, many people use marijuana instead of vape liquid. Dripping has become a growing trend because it provides more flavor and gives a stronger hit.…

“Parents need to be vigilant and in-tune with what their kids are doing and how much sleep they’re getting.” – Maria Wojtczak W hen it comes to safe driving, parents know the dangers of texting, drinking and driving, and speeding. But they often overlook one of the most deadly risk factors: teens driving when they’re sleep-deprived. Drowsy driving causes at least 1,550 fatalities and 40,000 non-fatal injuries in the U.S. each year. In actuality, these types of crashes are grossly underreported, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). With impaired driving, blood and breath tests can determine if a driver is under the influence. However, there is no test to quantify drowsiness when a driver is involved in a crash. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that…

Sports performance coach, speaker and author Allistair McCaw says children are excellent imitators, so parents should give them something great to imitate. Here are six ways parents can act as role models for their children, even while standing on the sidelines. Don’t support only your child. Cheer for your child’s teammates and the team as a whole. This teaches kids to be happy for the success of others. Remind them that there is no “I” in team, and that their sport is a collaborative, team effort. Focusing on the team can take the pressure off your own child. Practice good karma. Remember the old adage: If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all. Negative comments simply add stress, pressure and hostility to the environment. Use positive…

Drug addiction is a scary thing. I remember sitting in class when I was a kid and listening to the traumatic stories about what drug addiction did to people. I never wanted to be like that. I bought into the stigma that drug addicts were a certain type of people and I was not like “those people.” I was an athlete. I had been a highly competitive swimmer since I was 5 years old and had always told myself there was no way I would ever be consumed by addiction. I was consumed by wanting to be the best athlete I could be. Swimming eventually led me to a sport I loved even more: water polo. I put all my time into becoming great. I practiced six hours a day…

Q: I have been friends with a group of girls since 1st grade, but lately they have not been including me or inviting me to hang out anymore. I’m sad about this and I don’t know what to do. – Claire, 7th grade, Lansing, Michigan A: Have you talked with them one-on-one about it? Sometimes when we make assumptions they are incorrect. Try inviting them to hang out or choose to start hanging out with your other friends. Q: I’m a lot shorter than most of my friends. They tease me about it and even though I don’t think they are trying to be mean, I want them to stop. How can I get them to stop without making a big deal out of it? – Matthew, 8th grade, San…

I t’s every parents dream to see their children excel at their chosen activity, whether it’s softball or the spelling bee. However when parents focus only on the outcome, kids learn that nothing but winning matters. And although winning is gratifying, kids are less likely to learn healthy sportsmanship skills in situations where winning is all that matters. “Parents, coaches, teachers, and mentors tend to have a very strong influence on the development of good sportsmanship in children,” says Dr. Shefali Gandhi, a licensed psychologist in Scottsdale, Ariz. “Modeling how to be a good sport can have a lasting impact.” Whether you have a pre-K, elementary, junior high, high school or college student, Dr. Gandhi offers an age-appropriate guide on how to teach and model good sportsmanship behaviors and principles…

“Be ready for the responsibility and to hold yourself accountable. There is always, always time for fun in college, but there is a time and place. Being a student athlete is a privilege, and you should remind yourself of that every day.” W hen Monica Vaughn hoisted the trophy with her Arizona State University teammates after the Sun Devils captured the NCAA championship, she had reached the pinnacle of women’s collegiate golf…twice. Two days earlier, she took home the individual NCAA title, becoming the first woman to accomplish both feats in the same year since 2013. The honors capped a storybook senior year for ASU’s Vaughn, whose hard work in her studies helped her to graduate magna cum laude with a degree in communications. Her rise as a student athlete,…